Jenni Gilbert Beauty Expo Melbourne (formerly Salon Melbourne) and the inaugural Hair Expo Pop Up wrapped up on Sunday evening, March 27, proving a huge hit with Victorian beauty and hair professionals (and those visiting from interstate, of course!).
Over the course of the weekend, there were more than 5,000 visits by beauty and hair and professionals to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre for the event, which provided them with an opportunity to connect with suppliers and learn about the latest product trends and technologies.
They shopped, networked and learned new skills at the region’s premier boutique trade shows for the industry.
On the show floor, beauty visitors were treated to new product previews from coveted industry brands such as Napoleon Perdis, Lycon Cosmetics, Runway Room, Inglot Cosmetics, Kryolan and more.
There was plenty of live action for visitors to experience from the HUB stages, which kicked off a free demonstration schedule with an advanced micro-needling session by InSkin Cosmedics’ Jarrod Mangione on the Anti-Ageing stage.
Other highlights included a bridal business session from award-winning makeup artist Rae Morris on the makeup stage, and a nail trend demonstration using Shellac and Vinylux technology by CND’s Kim O’Keefe on the nail stage.
Those who wanted to further their education gained new professional skills from a varied line up of ticketed education sessions covering topics like makeup artistry, nail art, finding and retaining the best salon staff, successful social media practices for salon businesses, and a Business of Brows bootcamp.
The sessions were designed to provide the industry with independent and relevant education so that beauty professionals retain a competitive advantage in a challenging industry.
Visitors also had access to Hair Expo Pop Up, an education-led event by Hair Expo Australia.
It presented hairdressers and others in the hair and beauty industries with a boutique selection of products to demonstrate and purchase, along with business education sessions.
Conceived after Hair Expo’s successful show in Melbourne in 2016, Pop Up aims to address the location variance of Hair Expo’s main show as it rotates annually between Sydney and Melbourne.
The 2017 event will be hosted at the new International Convention Centre Sydney (ICCS) in Darling Harbour, as will Beauty Expo Australia permanently, with the 2018 event returning to the MCEC.
Last Saturday evening attendees had the chance to unwind and socialise with peers at the official Hair and Beauty Welcome Party, hosted at Crown Metropol’s 28 Skybar Lounge with views of Melbourne’s CBD.
On Sunday, visitors returned to the venue for another packed day of shopping, education, networking and celebrating their industries.
2017 highlights of Beauty Expo Melbourne included:
THE HUB
An interactive stage dedicated to makeup, nails, anti-ageing and grooming, providing visitors with the latest tips and techniques in a live format. Highlights included:
- A free demonstration from Bodyography’s makeup artist Alarna Bell, on the HUB makeup stage, saw Miss Universe Australia Caris Tiivel as the canvas for the brand’s products.
- Creative education from the likes of award-winning makeup artist Rae Morris, celebrity makeup artist Michael Brown, eyebrow specialist Jazz Pampling, dermal therapist Sarah Hudson, and nail artist Maria Vlezko.
SKINCARE SANCTUARY
Returning for its second successful year, the Sanctuary allowed professional skincare brands such as Payot, Pevonia, Dermalogica, Elizabeth Arden PRO, Jean D’Arcel Cosmetique and O Cosmedics to showcase their latest innovations and products.
EDUCATION
Providing visitors with business advice to give them a competitive edge were some of Australia’s leading mentors and business advisers, including Julie Piantadosi, Justin Herald, Lisa Conway and Kate Engler.
HAIR EXPO POP UP
This new education-driven event for hair professionals made its debut alongside Beauty Expo Melbourne in 2017, inspired by Hair Expo Australia. Visitors had access to both shows with the same ticket.
Those who weren’t able to make it to Beauty Expo Melbourne and Hair Expo Pop Up 2017 can instead look ahead to:
Hair Expo Australia, the hair industry’s leading annual event, which will return to its Darling Harbour home over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, June 10-12, at the new International Convention Centre Sydney (ICCS); and
Beauty Expo Australia, the much-anticipated industry extravaganza which will connect and inspire beauty professionals from around the country from August 26-27 (also returning to Darling Harbour at the ICCS).
